Vritatro nub rrrbng in arliantrut.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

Horn OF Loans. Monday, rob. 25. Ecclesiastical Commission Bill, considered in Committee ; and amended by the Opposition, after divisions.

Tuesday, Feb. 26. Pauper Divorces ; Petitions for—Emigrant Ships; Cruelties and Immoralities on board.

Thursday, Feb. 28. Port Phillip or Victoria Colony • Petitions on Consti- tution proposed for it—Party Processions (Ireland) Bill; read a second time, after debate.

Friday, March 1. Umpires Appointment Bill; opposed by the Lord Chancellor, and bill withdrawn—Tenant-right Agitation in the county of Down; Privilege.

Howls OF COMMONS. Monday, Feb. 25. New Writ for Canterbury, in the room of Lord Albert Denison, Chiltern Hundreds—Florin Coinage: Statement by Mr. Sheil—Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill; second reading postponed by Sir William Somerville—Public Business ; Statement by Lord John Russell—Australian Colonies Bill ; Lord John Russell will possibly further postpone it—Parliamentary Voters (Ireland) Bill; Committee opposed, and after eight divisions on amendments, post- poned till Friday.

Ibesday, Feb. 26. Mr. Bright and Mr. Henry Herbert; Personal Explanation— Attorney's Certificate-dutv • Lord Robert Grosvenor's Motion for a Bill to abolish, debated and withdrawn—Vational Secular Education ; Mr. W. J. Fox's Motion for a Bill, debated and agreed to—County Courts; Mr. Fitzroy's Motion for a Bill to extend Jurisdiction, debated and agreed to—Brick-duty • Mr. Hume's Motion for a Drawback on Materials in Cottages, debated and withdrawn.

Wednesday, Feb. 27. Mr. Stuart Wortley's Marriages Bill; second reading de- bated, and adjourned till Wednesday next. Thursday. Feb. 28. Encroachments on Greenwich Park and the Green Park, de- nied—Western Australian Government ; Sir William Molesworth's Question as to its legal existence, and Official Reply—Ten-hours Act ; Notice of Declaratory Bill given by Lord Ashley—Parliamentary Reform; Mr. Hume's Motion, negatived by 242 to 96—Enfranchisement of Copyholds; Mr. Aglionby's Motion of leave for a Bill, carried by 97 to 82—Holding of Land by Religious and Educational Bodies in Scotland; leave for a Bill given to Mr. Fox Mauls. Friday, March 1. National Land Company—Business of the House—Parliament- ary Voters (Ireland) Bill ; considered in Committee—Mercantile Marine Bill; post- poned from Monday next to Friday next—Registration of Deeds (Ireland) Bill-; read a second time.

TIME- TABLE.

Luse FRA.NCHISE Thom Ossrankae.s DIVISIONS.

In the House of Commons on Monday, the order for going into Com- mittee on the Parliamentary Voters, &c. (Ireland) Bill, having been read, and Sir Wrmasix SOMERVILLE having moved that the Speaker do leave the chair, Mr. DINO AFT i rose to press strongly for postponement, on the ground of surprise. He was willing at all times to deal with any subject of material or politi- cal interest to Ireland in a large and liberal spirit ; but not eager to extend favour to a measure merely creating an artificial franchise. They had not had that Parliamentary and distinct eel:pal/I/mice with this bill which was necessary before they went into Committee. It was read a second time last

i

Friday, n a thin and languid House; and they were prepared for a discus- sion on a very different subject this evening. The assizes in Ireland were commencing, and recent legislation rendered it much more important now than at any previous time that Irish gentlemen should attend them. He asked for postponement till the Irish assizes ware over. Reasons for and against postponement were rapidly interchanged.' Lord Cssrcmutscar referred to the analogous courtesy extended to English Members attending sessions. Sir GEORGE GREY observed that the ses- sions are simultaneous, the assizes indefinitely enduring. Mr. HUME ob- jected to convenience a few at the inconvenience of the majority. Sir Wm-. Lux SOMERVILLE pointed out that the present bill had been before the House three years, and that there are no alterations in its most important features : he observed that none obstruct the Irish business so much as the Irishmen themselves, and asked which was he to consult, "the honour- able Member for Cork, whose assizes don't take place for three weeks, or the noble Member for Down ? " Mr. SADLEIN in the name of the maj ority of Irish Members, urged Government to press forward the bill: the people of Ireland are grieved by the threat of a general election, and if the attempt were made at present it would be accompanied by scenes of violence and riot. Mr. GEsTrArr feared a snake in the grass—from Buckinghamshire. Mr. SCULLY remonstrated against a repetition of the contempt with which Irish measures have for years been put off till the last, .and at the last set aside. Mr. MAXWELL Fox insisted that there would be no harm even in postponing the bill till after Easter. Lord Jormr lifsarivims moved that the House go into Committee on the bill that day three weeks.

Amendment negatived, by 18.5 to 115; Ministerial majority, 70.

Mr. Dims= said, it was some time since it had been neoessary to resist a tyrant majority by the forms of the House ; but the numbers of the minority, and the nature of the division, justified the course he had resolved upon. Eight-and-forty hours since, neither he nor they knew anything of what i was to be done this evening n the House. Attention had ostentatiously been solicited to another subject, on which the public mind was agitat and which they had reason to expect would occupy their time this evening. On Friday night he left the House with the impression that the present bill was not to go on till after the assizes; and if any contrary intimation had been given, it was in a House of not more than thirty members, of whom twenty-five were asleep. He felt justified in opposing a coup de main.

Lord Jorrx RUSSELL said, he could hardly have believed that so serious a measure would have been opposed on grounds so very insufficient. Postponement for three weeks would derange other important proceedings and measures, and be in fact postponement for a considerable time : it would justify the taunt that Ministers did not last session propose this bill in earnest.

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment. Monday 511 7127m Tuesday — 711 1121 Wednesday No Sitting. Thursday 511 611 58m Friday 6h 20m Sittings this Week, A; Time, 8h I'm — this SeSMOM, 17 ; — 41h 59m

The Commons.

Hour of Hour Of Meeting. Adjournment. Monday 411 .... 12h Ora Tuesday — 12h Om Wednesday .. Noon .... 411 15m

Thursday 411 1211 45m Friday 12h 45ra Sittings this Week, 5; Time,3711 45m — this Session, 22; —16E1 45m

Mr. Disraeli would probably recollect its having been said that the duty of a Member of Parliament not in office was to resist the progress of Govern- ment business. The honourable gentleman had been taught that lesson elsewhere ; and in acting upon the instruction given to hum, he was ob- structing a bill which was to extend the franchise and give the right of vo- ting to a larger constituency than at present enjoyed it. The House divided—For going into Committee, 193; against it, 93; Ministerial majority, 100.

Addressing the Comnrittee, MT. Dement.' lightened the effect of Lord John Russell's quotation by fm•shing it- " The individual by whom those words were used said that 'he was ready, and that he ought to be ready, to obstruct all measures injurious to the con- stitution and to the country.' Sir in my opinion, that was a eery legitimate description of the duty of Member's of this House." The present Govern- ment, in introducing measures last session, not to be then passed, but to be resumed in a following session, manifested a confidence in the duration of Cabinets which only a 'Whig Ministry could entertain. Lord John Russell imputed, not very constitutionally or courteously, that Mr. Disraeli had re- newed his instructions elsewhere : but had not the noble Lord received his instructions from many persons, and many places? ((Jheering from the Pro- teetionists.) At least "'he cannot say 'we received our inspirations by con- sulting seditious dubs." (Renewed _Protectionist shards.) The charge of '"factious proceedings." was not less unworthythan surprising fromthe noble Lord; who had himself brought forward a proposition—the Appropriation clause—involving the fall of an Administration, and when he had upset that Administration by means of it, had neither the conscience nor the courage to carry his proposition into effect. Mr. Disraeli would meet a spirit of haughty insolence in a -spirit of constitutional opposition. He moved that the Chair- man report progress.

Amendment negatived, by 191 to 8'1.

On the readmission of the reporters, Mr. FORBES was found moving that the Chairman leave the

He was ready to postpone claims and details respiring explanation till Friday. "But with regard to the main propositions of a bill in- troduced in 1848, known in Ireland, and laiown in the House from thatday to this, surely it was not an unreasonable proposition, not a tyrannical pro- position, nor a precipitate proposition, to ask the House now to come to a decision."

Mr. OSSORNE dotected the cloven hoof of Protection in all this move- ment and warned Mr. Disraeli that the people of Ireland will net be thus hoodwinked.

Mr. Disraeli-was at that moment at the head of an "organized hypoe ," when he pretended to say he was dealing with this bill on the plea that gentlemen ought to have time to consider it. He and every one of his party are perfectly satisfied with the present constituency of Ireland; and satis- fied that if there were an election tomorrow they would carry everywhere their awn friends. Mr. Osborne cordially supported Lord John Russell, and was prepared for that purpose to stay in the House till any hour in the Mr. fiRIGHT thought that Lord John Russell could not do more to strengthen his position throughout the country than by manfully re- solving that this measure (although it was not all lie could wish) should be passed through during the present 13C6SiOR of Parliament Lord Jona Msieszens recalled attention to the conduct of 'Government in withholding all information that they did not intend to proceed with the Australian Government Bill this evening, till a late hour on Friday.

They were prepared to discuss the bill in the utmost spirit of fairness and impartiality ; but they would not be forced into a premature discussion of it, simply because the Government, having failed to produce a measure satis- factory to an important colony, had thrown that colony over for reasons best known to the noble Lord, and, by shifting the cards, had chosen to take up the 'present measure out of the proper course.

Amendment negatived, by 146 to 70.

Mr. Gnoesse repeated the motion that the Chairman report -progress. Mr. Ririe; admitting that he himself was professionally acquainted with both parts of the 'bill, suggested that Lord John Russell should take some

parts of the bill tonight, and the parts which the Irish Members wished to consider on a future day. Lord borne Russets. acknowledged the temperate tune of the speaker ; but the Irish County Members might

wish to postpone those parts concerning the county franchise and that was a point on which every Member must already have made up his mind. Mr. ANSTEY put it to the Opposition, whether they were not risk- ing an appearance of factiousness.

Amendment negatived, by 155 to 63.

Mr. ADDERLEY renewed the modern that the Chairman do leave the chair; recapitulating thelfanletsp:tifying the demand for postponement re-

gard to the Australian BilL eir ex • proceeding gave rise to the

He could not abet the course pursued by Government with re- suspicion that it was resorted to because they were aware that they would be outvoted in the Committee On the Australian Colonies Bill.

Mr. REYNOLDS compared the course pursued by Mr. Disrae,li's party to the act of "a nameless animal," which habitually cut its own throat when it attempted to swim— Ministers were on the brink of political insolvency, and he had set them up in trade again. In twenty-four hours people in Dublin would be saving that Lord John Russell was a more liberal man than they had supposed him to be. "See," they would say, "he is fighting like a game-cock for the Irish franchise."

Mr. DISH ARTA referred to a most authentic document on the table—her Majesty's Speech at the opening of the session—for further proof of the surprise which the Government is attempting. In the Queen's Speech they were told, that some of themeasures which were Postponed at the end of the last session, for want of time for their considera- tion, will be again laid before you." ("Hear, hear ! " from the Ministerial benches.) "Hear, hear!"—he waited for thatcry ; he expected it. That cheer was meant to signify that the expression applied to the present bill. No such thing. The Specchproceeded—" Among the most important of these is one for the better government of the Australian Colonies." But did the • Speech proceed to speak of the present bill in similar terms ? "Her Majesty has directed various measures to be prepared for the improvement of the condition of Ireland." These, mid Mr. Disraeli, were of a new character. This was a catalogue of new measures to be prepared, not of ancient bills which could not be passed last session for want of time. The measure for the government of the Australian Colonies was put in a more ostentatious position, among the measures which could not be passed last session that being a measure which had been matured, and which the noble Lord had snatched from the Under-Secretary for the Colonies as if he were himself alone capable of undertaking the perilous duty of dealing with so important questions of Colonial policy. After such an exposition of the in- tentions of Government with reference to Colonial policy, was it fair that, at the last languid hour of last week's business, the card should be suddenly changed, and another measure, which her Majesty's Speech treated as a new measure, thrust on the attention of the House of*Cemmons ?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL criticized Mr. Disraeli's reading of her Majesty's Speech, "cum notis 'variorum" not exactly conformable to it—assuming that Mr. Disraeli had erroneously quoted the word " new " from the Speech. Lord John added, that he saw at the bottom of these frequent divisions a real aversion, amounting to an antipathy, tothe extension of suffrage pro- posed by the bill. Amendment negatived, by 184 to 70. Mr. TAYLOR repeated the motion that the Chairman report pzugress. Negatived, by 185 to 70. Sir JOHN WALSH reiterated the motion that the Chairman leave the Chair. After a repetition of short speeches, chiefly from Opposition Mem- bers, the motion was negatived, by 194 to 75. At this point—it being nesulymichlight—Lord JOHN RUSSELL yielded. Amidst the (beers of the Opposition the Chairman reported progress ; the House resumed ; and leave was given to sit again in Committee on Friday.

ECCLESL4STICAL COMMISSION: HLNISTERILL DRFEATS.

The' House of Lords having gone into Committee on the Ecclesiastical Commission Bill,

The 12th clause, which would consolidate the Episcopal and the Com- mon funds, was opposed by the Earl of Powrs, on the ground that it will practically take away from the Crown the power of creating future Bishops. The appointment of a larger number of Bishops than es isted at present has always depended on a question of finance ; and unless a fund were provided to secure an income for the new Bishops, it would be difficult to obtain an increase of these numbers. He regretted to see no word i'n this clause respecting the three additional Bishoprics, which Ministers just before the last election publicly promised to erect "as soon as conveniently may be." Was it intended to carry out the extension so formally promised, or was it intended to shelve the question by this clause ? The Marquis of LANSDOWNE acknowledged the promise referred to ; and though he could not aver an intention to introduce a bill at present, yet he was "far from saying that the object will not be carried out when the expediency of the public and the interest of the Church require it." He advocated the consolidation of funds, proposed by the 12th clause, as the simplest mode of satisfying doubts, meeting the wishes of the coin- muuity, and promoting the interests of the Church. The Bishop of Len- nox had reason to think, that if the clergy could be polled there would be a large majority for maintaining the independence of the two funds ; and he humbly thought that if her Majesty's Government had to deal only with that House of Parliament, they would have no hesitation in pro- posing to complete the addition of the four new Bishoprics. Lord Sten- ear and the Earl of HARROWBY supported the amendment ; the Loan CHANCELLOR and Earl GREY opposed it.

On a division, the amendment was carried against Ministers, by 31 to 26.

The 15th clause would have limited the income of the Deanery of York to 2,000/., and those of the Deaneries of Chichester, Exeter, Hereford, Lichfield, Salisbury, and Wells, to 40001., with an exoeption in favour of the present incumbents of the last two Deaneries, who should have 1,500/. The Bishop of SALIBBURY moved an amendment, fixing the sala- ries of all the Deaneries except York at 1,500/. He stated that this amendment embodied a scheme twice proposed by the Ecclesiastical Commission, but rejected by the Law-officers of the Crown, on the ground. that it contravened the letter of the Cathedral Reform Act : it is admitted to be in harmony with the spirit of that act The Marquis of Lens- DOWNE opposed the amendment, and supported the clause, as calculated to do reasonable justice.

On a division, the amendment was carried against Ministers, by 21 to 19.

Some clauses were added by the Bishop of OXFORD, with the consent of the Marquis of LANSDOWNE.

PARTY PB.00ESSIONS IN IRELAND.

On the second reading of the Party Processions (Ireland) Bill, Lord LANSDOWNE explained, that it differs from the former bills only in 'not prescribing any period for its own duration, and that it is not confined to armed processions. Lord RODEN trusted that the Protestant party will see that they have now a fair measure, and will be the first to obey the law and give up their processions. Lord BROUGHAM, the Earl of Mimi- nosouen, and several other Peers, expressed approval.

NATIONAL SECULAR EDUCATION.

In his statement before asking leave to bring in a Bill to promote the Secular Education of the People in England and Wales, Mr. W. J. Fox contrasted the present with the past state of feeling on the subject of public education.

Between those who wish the Government to educate the people, and those who, thinking that education is religion and an act of religious worship, deem that education does not enter into the duties or function of a govern- ment at all, there is a large number of persons who hold it a legitimate go- vernment function to stimulate the people to educate themselves. The diffi- cultiee of-the subject have changed fiem these of indifference to those of ex- cessive zeal : the Church has put forth a magnificent degree elf fervour and zeal in the work ; and the Dissenters, the tried friends of education, who laboured to spread instruction among all the poorer classes in bygone days, have made corresponding efforts of late with the same object ; while the Committee of Privy Council for Education have, with great judgment and tact, sought to combine existing agencies and promote their efforts. Yet all these great bodies are in hostile collision : the minutes of the Committee of Privy Council are filled with angry expressions and disputes ; large sections of the National Society, and large bodice of Dissenters connected with the British and Foreign Society, are alike refusing grants of the public money. From these causes, education is not merely cheek, but in some respects a retrograde motion has set in. The Congregational 'Dissenters have failed in their intention to educate themselves by a self-subscribed fund of 200,0001.; only 8,000/. is in the hands of the directing Committee, who are compelled to suspend grants to poor districts, having found it "easier to rouse men to make one great effort than to induce them to pursue a steady and perse- vering interest in the work." In like manner, the National Society, starved of adequate support, reports that it has considered it prudent to "make re- strictions in the expenses of St. Mark's College, Chelsea, and of Battersea Training Institution ; and apprehends that it may be under the painful ne- cessity of diminishing the supply of duly-qualified teachers, at the very time when the exigencies of the Church indispensably require that the supply should be increased.' The inhabitants of Lancashire, with their distinctive energy, have formed a scheme for the education of that entire county; and a so- ciety has been formed which is called an Association for the Secular Educa- tion of the County of Lancaster. In the Metropolis, the working men have formed themselves into an association for promoting secular education : schools called Birkbeck Schools have been established, in which the mental faculties and intellectual training of the children may be carried to a higher point than has been heretofore possible. From Scotland there are complaints taking the same tone and direction —namely, that an improved secular edu- cation is found necessary to give religious education its full efficiency; opi- nions backed by the venerated authority of the late Dr. Chalmers. The dis- couraginrs' circumstances, and the popular movement, similarly suggest that the time has come for making some advance. Statistics furnished by Lord Palmerston, and appearing on the minutes of the Committee of Privy Council on Education, prove that the nation to which we belong is not, in comparison with other countries, supporting its high character and its ancient prerogative. The proportion of children at school to the population, in Prussia, Bavaria, Holland, and Belgium' ranges pro- gressively from one in six to one in nine ; in the United States it ie one in live; by the very highest estimate it is not greater in England than one in eight-and-a-half, and there is reason to believe that one in thirteen would be much nearer the mark. The irregularity is as striking as the deficiency.; where it is most active, as in some parts of Liverpool, it is one in eleven ; in Salford, one in thirty-six ; in Sheffield, one in eleven ; in Chester, one in twenty. Counties vary from 59.7 per cent above the average—as Middlesex, to 53.0 per cent below it—as -Bedford. There is equal disparity in the education of the sexes; three boys to two girls in the National Schools of London, two boys to every girl in those of the British and Foreign Society. The tables of criminal returns show that the education now administered is ineffectual in diminishing crime. During the twelve years between 1837 and 1818 inclusive, the gross amount of crime had undergone great fluctuations, but the relative proportions of the criminals exhibited no proportionate diversity. In those twelve years the percentage of criminals unable to read and write decreased from 35.5 to 31.93; that of criminals with an education superior to mere reading and writing decreased from 0.43 to 0.27; but while the two extremes of those who could not read and write at all and those who had received a superior education had de- creased in those proportions, the intermediate classes of offenders, namely, those who could read and write imperfectly, increased from 61.54 to 66.21 per cent. Although Mr. Fox felt, with the majority in the House of Commons, that religious instruction was the most important kind of instruction that the child could ever receive, he was also convinced, that in those instances in which their religious teaching had produced its best general results, there would be found to have been a proportionate admixture of that mental and intellectual training which is known as secular teaching. This opinion is borne out by the Gaol returns of 1847. Of 631 prisoners at Reading, 204 could not say the Lord's Prayer • of 229 at Cambridge, 61; of 681 in Cornwall Gaol, 139; of 674 in Dorset 57; of 603 at Lancaster, 115; of 522 in Sussex Gaol, 80: in all these instances, the proportion of criminals who had been taught that symbol of Christian devotion was greater than that of those who had not been taught it. The Inspector of Schools for the Southern Dis- trict, the Reverend H. Moseley, who had given the matter the closest atten- tion, reported to the Committee of Privy Council—" It is consistent with my own experience, and, I believe., with that of all other Inspectors, that there is most religious knowledge in those schools where the reading of the Scriptures is united in a just proportion with secular instruction, and where a distinction between the functions of the day school and the Sunday school being observed, something of that relation is established in the school be- tween religious principles and secular pursuits which ought to obtain in the after life of the child." Report after report might be quoted, all showing analogous results, and Chaplains and Governors of Gaols, and Inspectors of Prisons, all appeared to have come to the same conclusion as to the need of secular instruction and intellectual training in order to make religious in- struction valuable.

In concurrence with these opinions might be quoted the testimony of en intelligent American gentleman, Mr. Horace Mann, well known for his i exertions n Boston, who not long ago made an educational tour through Europe. He said—" After the particular attention which I gave to this sub- ject both in England and Scotland, I can say without any exception that in those schools where religious creeds and forms of faith and modes exception, were directly taught, I found the common doctrines and injunctions of mo- rality, and the meaning of the perceptive parts of the gospel, to be much less taught and much less understood by the pupils, than in the same grade of schools and by the same classes of pupils with us." Mr. Fox explained the provisions of his bill. He had endeavoured, with- out superseding any existing education, to render all of it available, and to call forth local exertions in connexion with that central superintendence which would make them most successful. lie proposed that the deficiency of the means of education in any parish or combination of parishes compared to the wants of the population should be ascertained by her Majesty's In- spectors. He would have them take into account every kind of educational machinery in the country,—National Schools, British and Foreign Schools, schools connected with religious denominations, schools without any such connexion, and private schools that would submit to inspection report on one and all as affording the means of instruction for the people a each dis- trict; and subtract from the whole those exclusions that might arise from too great costliness in some instances and from some exclusive religious pecu- liarity being forced on the children in others. The amount of deficiency being thus ascertained, the locality should be invited to supply it ; the inhabitants of the district summoned to elect an Educational Committee ; that Com- mittee should supply the deficiency, and be empowered to rate the inhabi- tants for the expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out that object. There are two ways by which they could most the wants of the parish or district. The first is, to take the old schools already existing, and to give proper re- muneration to the teachers according as the Inspectors should report them to have efficiently laboured in imparting secular education. The other means is, the formation of new schools; and he proposed these should be properly free schools, to which every inhabitant of the parish or district should have the right of sending his children between the ages of seven and thirteen, with- out charge, without distinction in the treatment or the education of the chil- dren, and without any religious peculiarities being inculcated upon them. As to religion, he would reserve to the parents the inalienable right, at cers

tain convenient times fixed, to have their children instructed, where and by whom they please. On leaving the school, each child whose conduct has been satisfactory to the masters should have a present of books, of which the Holy Scriptures should always form a portion; thus putting the child in possession of the sacred volume at a time when he is most prepared to come under the influence of its moral precepts. The teachers in these schools should be dismissable by the Local Education Committee; but he would give them an appeal to the Committee of Privy Council on Education. If in- stances should occur where a locality is so careless or so neglectful of its duty as not to undertake the education of the district, he would call on the Committee of Council on Education to step in and not allow that locality to become a sink of ignorance, prejudice, and vice, a disgrace to itself and a nuisance to all the surrounding districts. He would give to the masters sala- ries of which the minimum would insure a considerable degree of respecta- bility in their social position. He relied on the schoolmasters for the ad- vancement of education ; and he hoped to promote among them honourable rivalry by the statements which from year to year would be given in the publications of the Committee of Council. Thus, interfering in no manner with the schools of the various religious bodies, he trusted that his proposal could not be construed into offensiveness towards either of them. The school might be erected and endowed on the most stringent principles of Church education. It might be put under the control of the clergymen of the parish, and the Bishop made its visiter, with a negative on the works to be read. Dissenting schools would have equal freedom. He adopted in reference to this matter a distinction once drawn by Mr. Henry Drunimond between education and instruction. Education, the complete training and drawing forth of the mind, can only be the work of a highly gifted teacher or an affectionate parent or pastor ; instruction, the intelligible communication of knowledge and the training and drilling of the faculties, is a task which could be accomplished either by the agency of legislation or the efforts of the schoolmaster. Mr. Fox referred to a class whose cooperation it is of the ut- most importance to engage in this matter—the working people whose chil- dren are to be trained. Unless they coincide with these plans, and look upon them as privileges for their children, they will not have .the effect that it is devoutly wished they might have. Mr. Fox paid a tribute of admiration to the sturdy intelligence and moral sense of those classes, mingled with suggestions to avoid the proselytizing endeavours which raise their suspicion and prompt their rebelliousness : and then he passed to some remarks on the cost of his plans. Avoiding, as the height of affectation, the production of figures, he simply adduced the calcu- lations of the Lancaster Association—that to supply schools for the entire education of the country, a rate of 11-d. in the pound would suffice; and that a series of schools from infant upwards to adult schools could be carried on for a rate of 6d. in the pound. But it would be absurd to pre- tend to calculate the cost with any degree of accuracy. In respect of pau- perism and crime the scheme might be hoped to diminish much the present public expenditure.

In this respect, as in the main respect, he relied much on the school- master. He assented to the sound observations made by Lord John Russell three years ago, when he said that they would never effectually raise educa- tion in this country till they raised the profession and the prospects of the schoolmasters. As of the poet, so it might be said of the schoolmaster, " nas- citur, non fit." There are tendencies m some minds that lead them to sym- pathize with children—to feel the difficulties of children, to conciliate their perverseness, and to train them up, for the want of which no amount of learning could ever compensate. He would throw the competition for mas- ters perfectly open, and would make their qualifications, and especially their aptitude for teaching, the great test of each, and would reward them accord- ingly. Their functions are in reality such as may well be deemed sacred, and they deserve the best honours that the state can bestow. As to the particular bill before them, most glad would he be to find other parties brought into competition with him with plans better adapted for-the accomplishment of the great object he had in view. Ile thought of the con- dition of thousands upon thousands of children in this country ; and that alone led him to intrude upon the attention of the House. He thought of the crimes which had tlusven upon soils from which they had hoped they were entirely banished and that soil occupied by better things. He would pray the House to think of those localities that arc continually . sending forth hordes of untutored savages on society, who seem to derive from civilization only greater facilities for becoming themselves more unwholesome nuisances to the state. He would have them think on their crowded gaols and hulks, and on their reluctant colonies ; he would have them think on the peace, and good order, and security, that might be spread abroad amongst homes that are well:disposed by the general training and moral conduct of the people ; he would have them look to yet higher motives—to consider that the natural and moral lustre of our country has ever been a glory superior to that even of its supremacy in arts and arms ; he would have them look to those yet higher objects which, when the purposes of civil society should be accomplished, would remain to be realized in the individual, who, by the means which they can afford him, would become qualified to fulfil the great purposes for which he was formed by his beneficent Creator. (Mr. Far resumed his seat amidst applause from all parts of the House.)

Sir Robert Inglis and Lord John Russell rose together, but the latter gave way. Sir ROBERT INGLIS proceeded to state how, at the close of Mr. Fox's most temperate and able speech, he waited in silent and re- spectful expectation that some member of her Majesty's Government would speak and inform the House—But at this point he was taken at his word : Lord JOHN RUSSELL rose again, amidst cheers and laughter ; and Sir Robert, somewhat disconcerted, resigned possession of the Blouse to him.

Lord John Russell said, that every one must acknowledge that the spirit in which Mr. Fox had approached this question was worthy of the subject ; and he did not hesitate to say that he hoped the House would not refuse per- mission to introduce the bill. Upon the general difficulties of the peti- tion—whether the plan proposed would overcome those difficulties— what view those engaged in education either in the great societies of this country or individually—would take of the plan when as the shape of a bill, —he thought it better to give no imperfect or premature opinion. He did, however, express some doubt of disagreement with Mr. Fox's general state- ment of failure attendant on the efforts of societies. "My impression Is rather, that, although the great efforts proposed to be made three or four years ago have not had the result of so large an extension as was contem- plated both by the Church societies and societies belonging to different reli- gious bodies, yet that in fact the result of those efforts, as compared on the whole with the state of education a few years before, will show a consider- able increase increase in the means of education in this country."

Sir ROBERT Isrcass resumed and completed the eulogy on the tempe- rateness and ability of Mr. Fox's statement, which Lord John Russell had broken through ; and then proceeded to state his objection to a sys- tem of national education limited to that instruction which terminates in this world, and leaves to parents whose ignorance is admitted the im- parting of that enlightened knowledge upon which these children's hopes of happiness hereafter mint rest. Before sitting down, he ventured to recall a former suggestion to the Government—that they would make up their mind as to the encouragement they would give to amateur Members in bringing in their bill,; and that they should at once say, "This measure is good, and we will therefore take it up ourselves," or, This is bad, and we will not take it up nor allow you to proceed with it." By such a course the time of the House would be greatly economized.

Mr. PLUMPTRE added his solemn protest against both the educational principle and the financial scheme of the bill. Mr. NAPIER and Mr. MILES emphatically joined in the general approbation of the temper in which the subject had been introduced, and emulated that temper in lodging their protests against the principle of a purely secular education. Mr. Law congratulated himself on the approach of an opportunity to inquire how far a body not immediately responsible to Parliament should interfere with the education of the Church.

Mr. MONCICTON MrmaFa, Mr. Emir., Mr. OSBORNE, and Mr. Cocxrarror hailed the measure, and warmly congratulated its statesmanlike introducer. Leave was given to bring in the bill.

MAintrAllE WITH THE DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER.

On moving the second reading of his Marriages Bill, Mr. STUART WORT'LEY stated, that, profiting by experience, he has endeavoured more than even last year to avoid irritating any part of the community. His bill last year proposed not only to legalize the marriage of a widower with his wife's sister, but also his marriage with his wife's niece : yielding rather to the feelings of some supporters and opponents than to conviction, he has omitted the provision removing the latter prohibition. Last year also, he had thought he was especially consulting the feeling of the clergy by providing that they should not be compelled to celebrate this marriage— only left at liberty, to do so : finding that a large body of the Church, in- cluding many who agree with his object, deem this an interference with Church discipline, he has abandoned the provision he last year inserted, and substituted one for the purpose of saving whole and entire the discipline of both the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. With these ex- planations, Mr. Wortley proceeded to marshal and reinforce the arguments with which he has in former years supported his proposed legislation. He reminded the House of the newness of the law which lie aims at repealing ; pointed to the assent in principle which the law itself affords, so far as it le-

es the marriages which had been solemnized previously to 1835; re- erred to approval of early Councils of the Church, and the modern sanc- tion of a vast number of the most respected clergymen of the Church of England ; dwelt upon the social good of removing a prohibition which opposes popular feeling and is extensively set at nought; and upon the con-. stheration due to the poor, among whom it i often not a matter of choice whether or not the sister should live with her married sister and subsequently with her surviving husband. On the point of Scriptural authority, Mr. Wortley observed that Mr. Roundell Palmer, bringing to the question all the aid of ability and high professional skil, could only affirm that such marriages were probably prohibited by the Levitical law. If there were no more than a probability of a prohibition, there must be also a probability of no prohibition; and inasmuch as the general law of marriage is that we are free to enter into that state, we run a risk, according to those probabilities, of voiding marriages which in the sight of Heaven are good.

Sir FREDEEICH THESIGER, in a speech of considerable length, supported an amendment which he moved, that the bill be read a second time that day six months. He maintained that the majority of the clergy of the Church of England are clearly against the bill; Ireland views it with disapprobation, and Scotland with aversion._ If much was permitted under the looser morality of the an- cient Jews, to whom much was conceded on account of their hardheartedness, yet nothing could be more abhorrent to the principles and character of Chris- tianity than such marriages. The law of 1835 gives but little encouragement to them, for it was passed to meet a particular case : marriages since that date are not only null anaNroid, but have been contracted in the face of the warning of the Church et-niched in these words—" I require and charge you both, as ye will answer ,at. the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be dieeleataa, thai., if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be joined togeM&Iii mitrilnunado.now

i confess it." It s suggested that this could only refer to marriages

fore the Church, but not to marriages before the Registrar. Jiut the impediment which these parties are enjoined to declare is "lawful im- pediment," and not "Scriptural impediment." The allegation that the case affects the poor is both new and untrue. Since 1835, the marriages of this sort contracted by mechanics and labourers have been but forty in number. Sir Frederick dwelt much on the safeguard which the present law is deemed to afford to the wife's sister : at present her intercourse with the family is pure, affectionate, above suspicion; but from the moment you allow the hes- ..nd to marry .the sister, suspicions will arise, and grow into jealousies, to end in unhappiness and estrangement. The bill will tend fatally to widen the separations by which the Church is unhappily now rent in twain ; for if it should pass, there would be little difficulty in drawing a line of demarca- tion and saying on which side would be found those clergymen who would solemnize these marriages and those who would not.

Colonel THOMPSON supplied the materials for correcting one inference made by Sir Frederick Thesiger. He had consulted the form for the solemnization of matrimony, and he had discovered that, after the question proposed, whether "either of you know any impediment why, you may not be lawfully joined together in ma- trimony ?" the words which follow are—" For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful." He submitted that these words taken together were sufficient to authorize a person answer- ing the question with a view only to the law of God, that he was to consider whether by that law any prohibition lay upon him, and that he was relieved from any considerations arising out of the interpretation put upon it by Sir Frederick Thesiger.

Mr. HEADLAM feared that the longer the subject is under discussion, the greater will become the difficulty of submitting to the law : they should no longer perpetuate a state of things calculated to make larger and larger the number of persons placed in opposition to the law. Mr. PAGE Woon opposed the bill, in a speech of warning reference to the tea ehing of ancient history against any relaxation in the moral law and the law of divorce. Mr. A. J. HOPE then moved the adjournment of the debate. But Mr. STUART WORI'LEY rose and stated, that as he found it would be for the convenience of the Speaker to move the adjournment of the House, he would move that adjournment, if it were understood that the debate should be continued next Wednesday. The House was ac- cordingly adjourned on this understanding.

_ Painuaraivrenv REFORM.

Mr. Hunn's motion was couched in the following terms-

" That leave be granted to bring in a bill to amend the national representation by extending the elective franchise, so that every man of full age, and not subject to any mental or legal disability, who shall have been the resident occupier of a house, or part of a house as a lodger, for twelve months, and shall have been duly rated to the poor of that parish for that time, shall be registered as an elector, and be en- titled to vote for a representative in Parliament ; also, by enacting that votes shall be taken by ballot, that the duration of Parliaments shall not exceed three years, and that the proportion of representatives be made more consistent with the amount of population and property." Mr. Hume founded his motion on the avowed admission that the present state of our representation is grossly defective, and on the necessity of bring- ing back the constitution to its ancient principles and establishing a system of rigid economy. The principle of the Reform Bill was not one of taxation, but the occupation of houses of certain value, and of paying taxes : he pro- posed to adopt the simple test of respectability. He would require residence during twelve months and being rated to the poor—expressly excluding any reference to payment of the rates ; and would make it compulsory on the officers to send in a list of the names of all qualified to vote. This would ex- tend the present number of single voters from about 800,000 in a total popu- lation of about 16,000,000, to a body which he estimated at about 3 232,762. Taking those only assessed to the rate, he should exclude about a million of persons equally respectable with those included ; therefore every lodger aught register or be registered for the poor-rate for the house in which he lived, and so become entitled to the franchise like the owner. The present time is most opportune for extending the franchise, the work- ing classes being fully employed, and the nation free from alarms. Ministers have strengthened the case by the concession they have made of a reformed franchise in Ireland, and by producing the correspondence on their proposed constitution for the Cape of Good Hope—the Bill of Rights for that colony. Lord Stanley had advocated, and it was now proposed to concede, the siarage to every person assessed to the road-tax among the mixed population of that co- lony—Dutch settlers and their descendants, English colonists, free Aborigines, Fingoes, and liberated' Negroes. The duration of the Representative As- sembly is to be five years : receding, on more mature consideration, from his former agreement with Major Cartwright in favour of annual Parliaments, Mr. Hume now proposes three years. The Colonial Representatives are also to be paid : in this respect the Government went beyond his proposal. In conclusion, he referred to the past in a tone of warning. He recounted from memory the disturbances of 1796, when Fox and Grey congratulated the French people on their revolution—("Hear !" from Hr. Henry Drum- mond)—and when at every meeting, the toast given was, "The People, the only source of all power " ; the subsequent disgraceful measures by which Reform principles were put down ; the war in which six hundred millions was spent to put down such a commonwealth in France as now exists not- withstanding. The demand for reform in 1842 and 1843 was met by in- creased Estimates, augmentation of Army and Police, and a doubling of the expenditure : if such a time as 1842 should again occur, the people, with their increased intelligence, would not consent any longer to endure such in- justice.

Moving his resolution, Mr. Hume added, that though the abolition of the qualification of Members was not named in his motion as it stood on the pa- per, yet he hoped there would be no objection to its being included.

Sir Joanna WALMSLEY seconded and briefly supported the motion.

Sir GEORGE GREY gave the mover and seconder credit for their motives!, but was not prepared for a new Reform Bill to remodel the House of Commons.

Such a large and indefinite extension of the suffrage would be inconsistent with any effectual check; the guard of registration might be evaded by col- lusive occupations, parcelling a house among an indefinite number of "lodgers." Sir George went over the points of the proposed bill, with com- ments to show how little the scheme differs from that of the full Charter advocated by Mr. O'Connor. [In the course of this criticism, Sir George drew from Mr. Hume the admissions, that he had no objection even to ex- tend the franchise to females, as already "it's done in Greenock " ; and that he would have "not the least objection" to "substitute for a heredi- tary House of Lords an elective second Chamber."] Thaw admissions Sir George fixed upon as effective topics for declamatory comment. In conclu- sion, he declared his opinion that the bill would establish a pure democracy in the House of Commons; which would be inconsistent with the harmo- nious working of the constitution. He therefore asked the House to nega- tive the motion.

Mr. FEARGUS O'CoNNon defied the House to stand much longer as at Preset-of saawaNh.f-od.: taunted tha mwfacturers, and Lord John Russell's party, with their "physical force" thieauriar-rawer ....paoliateci force on his own part; and thanked Mr. Hume for his motion, though he still support "The People's Charter, and no surrender." Mr. PAGE WOOD supported the motion in a speech of calm and effective argumentation; exposing the unfair evasion of the real subject-matter, which Sir George Grey had managed by his cross-examination of Mr. Hume, and in his subsequent rhetoric about Chartism. Is the develop- ment of instruction and intelligence within the last eighteen years—evi- denced by the erection of something like fifteen hundred new churches, and the entry of about a million of children into the National Schools, with the corresponding efforts of the Dissenters in religious and educa- tional extension—to go for nothing in the claim of the people for an in- creased voice in the election of the Commons House of Parliament ?

MY. HENRY DE17MMOND exceedingly regretted that Mr. Hume had mixed up the question of the franchise with other questions, and so pre- vented him from giving it his humble and individual support. He was sorry to say that not only would that be carried, but worse mo- tions still would be carried. There is no principle on which the House could resist them. A certain number of gentlemen might be induced, from various motives, to say "Yes," and others "No," on the present occasion ; but sooner or later every word of the present motion would be carried. They were rapidly coming to the reaping-time of the seed long since sown. Mr. Hume had reminded the House that for a hundred and fifty years the Whigs had been teaching them that the people were the source of all legitimate power : that was quite true ; but they meant according to the grace of Brookes's; and they were exceedingly indignant to find that it meant now by the grace of Manchester and the Reform Club. For his part, he equally hided both. He was at a leas to discover the smallest difference between them. Not only that, but the Whigs had been always favourable to as much agitation as was necessary to place them in power, and then when they got into power they became good Tories. At the beginning of the French Revolution, they defended the murder of a King and Queen. Can it be forgotten that they defended the mutiny of the Nore ? and was not Par- ker as bad as Smith O'Brien ? There was not an enemy of the public peace throughout Europe that they did not defend; and then, when they got into power, they wreaked their vengeance upon those who had helped to set them up. (Laughter.) Mr. Drummond combated the delusion of umversal equality, on which these measures are based : they will produce anarchy and slaughter, for they violate that scale of order and sub-order which per- vades the universe from the celestial hierarchy downwards. Mr. ROEBUCK. commented on the "nisi prius " lawyer's spirit in which Sir George Grey had gone round about the motion; carping at it, cavil- ling at it, but never meeting it fairly in front.

All that Mr. Drummond said must come top will come. What is the definition of a "labouring man," which is a sufficient line of demarca-

tion to justify his being placed in a disfranchised class? He prayed Govern- ment, to dismiss the idle bugbear of universal suffrage and concede changes to the people while yet they have not risen in the terrific majesty of mad armed violence to enforce them. Characterizing the Reform Bill as a revo- lution peaceful by chance, he hoped that it was one he should never see re- peated: he never wished to see the vessel so near the rocks again. Lord Toux RUSSELL defended himself and the chief under whom he served, and under whose auspices the Reform Bill was long advocated and finally carried. While Mr. Hume proposed a large extension of the suffrage, his measure was liable to the objection Mr. Hume himself urges against the present sys- tem, of leaving a great number of the people in a state of "slavery." Though the general conduct of the working classes deserves the highest coin- mendation, Lord John doubted their competency to form sound opinions on all the great questions which come before Parliament relating to the em- pire. For example many would be misled by .people who would tell them that they were unjlistly paying interest amounting to twenty or thirty mil- lions a year on a debt that is in no reaped national; or by others who would counsel them to repeal the new Poor-law and return to the old Poor-law. The analogy of the Irish measure and the Colonial measure affords Mr. Hume little assistance. The Irish measure proposes to bring the Irish suffrage u to the standard of the English suffrage. The Colonial population will have to elect representatives for merely local purposes, and not to determine great Imperial questions. The electoral districts of Mr. O'Connor's plan arc intelligible, and have an apparent fairness and justice but Mr. Ilunie's ex- planations are not satisfactory, nor his plan clear : so far as they can be un- derstood, the only result would be an increased division and opposing of the agricultural interests of the country.. Lord John confessed personally, that he does not hold in all cases to the ten-pound qualification, nor think that limit should be retained. Urged to initiate some substantial reform, he has communicated with his colleagues on the subject, and they have not thought it advisable in the present session to set aside other great questions for angry debates on this. The many changes made of late years, winch are still matters of discussion, had better be first settled, without fresh party divisions. We may also with advantage observe what is going on in Europe, and take counsel from the constitutional events which have occurred in Italy, Germany, and France. Mr. Roebuck has said it is unadvisable to wait for a storm before you put to sea : but if you leave your anchor in a perfect calm, you may be drifted against the rocks. Mr. OSBORNE remarked that all the opposition to the motion, with the exception of one amphibious politician, the Member for West Surrey, had come from the Treasury-bench. In 1848, Lord John Russell disclaimed finality, and was much dissatisfied with the state of the franchise, though he would not put to sea in a storm : now he would not lift his anchor in a calm : were they to gather that he is waiting for a breeze, and that not until the excitement of a general election. occur will he lay upon the table a bill to extend the franchise ? A cry is now rising out-of-doors, that his speech will swell; so that he will not have to wait long for the storm of which he has spoken : a supine House of Com- mons and a procrastinating Cabinet are the real promoters of the storm. He had no wish to see the House of Commons completely tenanted by one class; but he found that thirty-three Peers sent fifty-two Members there, and that in fact the House was enacting a sort of "High Life Below Stairs." Many an honourable Member was nothing more than "my Lord Duke's man,' and no doubt the "Lady Bab's " representative was in the list. Lord Brougham, in his "Political Philosophy "—(" Oh, oh ! ")—we must draw a distinction between his speeches and his pen, for anything proceeding from his pen is entitled to some degree of respect—Lord Brougham said, there would be no such thing as bribery if there were no small constituencies. But was there no other form of corruption but that of money—no other means of bringing up unwilling Members to vote ? It was generally sup- posed the whip was the emblem of the Secretary to the Treasury ; but onoumble Members were in the secret, and knew very well that it was the fishing-rod ; and the Parliamentary Isaac Walton was indeed an expert "fisher of men." (Laughter.) He 'mew well how to throw the line skil- fully for a country gentleman—he knew how to bob for a patriot. (Great laughter.) Garters or ribands did for some ; but that House had a peculiar fancy for the honours of the bloody hand. When the Melhoosna was in difficulties R.Tax......y.--was rah-sacked for a vole, who can forget the roirop.aous araught of Baronets that appeared all alive in the Gazette one af- ternoon?

Mr. Manly RBEKTI EY congratulated Mr. Hume on having got Min- isters on their legs as to one part of the question on which they have at last given an intimation. Mr. LOCKE KING moved the adjournment of the debate ; but yielded to vehement cries for division.

Finally, Mr. Fume's motion was negatived, by 242 to 96.

EXTENSION OF COUNTY Comas.

In moving for leave to bring in a Bill to extend the Jurisdiction of the Act for the more easy recovery of Small Debts and Demands in England, Mr. FITZROY stated that he proposed to raise the maximum of the sum re- coverable in the County Courts to 501., with a power of appeal in cases above 201. The suitors of these courts have given their verdict in favour of them. In the course of three years, the number of suits considerably exceeded a million, and the proportion which they bear to the suits in Westminster Hall is as four to One. Mr. Fitzroy read his motion amidst cries of "Agreed, agreed r The Anronsea-Gmainten, seeing the desire of the House to accept the measure, wished not to oppose its introduction ; but, at the risk of un- popularity, he proceeded to point out objections to its principle. Sir Gamine GREY, feeling it impossible to deny that there is a strong feeling out of doors in favour of extending the jurisdiction of the County Courts, desired to know from the bill itself the nature of the appeal proposed. Mr. HENLEY regretted that the Government should allow the waste of another night on this measure' which it was clear could not pass. Sir GEORGE PECIEELL, Mr. CLAY, Lord DUDLEY STUART, and MT. MtiLLINGS, Cordially supported the principle of the bill.—Leave given.

Arronsufs Cestruaesam-Darry.

Repeating, for the third year, his motion for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the attorney's and solicitor's annual certificate-duty, Lord ROBERT Gnosvinfort enforced the usual arguments founded on the injustico in principle and inequality in pressure of this impost on a single class, by reference to the many acts passed in late years depriving attornies of former sources of emolument. Only last year Government deprived them of no less than 40,000/. in hard cash, by refusing any longer to allow them discount on stamps. The attmnies bitterly and sorely complain that the same special burden is continued upon them after the removal of the larger profits they were allowed formerly to receive. Mr. Harass briefly observed that it would be better to postpone this question till after the Chancellor of the Exchequer's financial statement ; and he moved that the debate be adjourned to the 22d March- After a few words of professional sympathy from Sir Fnansaws THESIGER and Mr. Comonnui, Lord ROBERT GROSVF.M'IR assented to this course ; and the debate waa adjourned accordingly.

ABOISIION OF Bines-nums.

In the statement made by Mr. Hams to introduce his proposed resoln-, tion in favour of a drawback of the Timber-duty and Brick-duty on. the materials used in the building of labourers' cottages rented under 41. a year, he addressed himself to the general, social, and financial advantages. Of repealing the duty on bricks altogether; and threw in, front their sanatory bearing on the condition of the humbler classes, some considera- tions in favour of removing the Window-tax. Expressing his hope that these taxes will be taken off when the Chancellor of the Exchequer comes to dispose of his surplus, Mr. Hume moved his resolution with the omis- sion of the words specifying the value of the cottages. Mr. LABOUCHERE acknowledged the frankness with which Mr. Hume had expressed his desire to abolish the Brick-duty altogether, but opposed the motion in its altered shape, as inopportune and premature before the financial statement._ MT. HENRY DRUMMOND, Lord CLAUDE HAMILTON, and Mr. ROBERT PAL- MER, having concurred with several Members on Mr. flume's side of the House, in the expression of that opinion against the Brick-duty which he desired to elicit, Mr. Hume, by leave, withdrew the motion.

TICE1 FLORIN COINAGE.

In reply to Major BERFsFORD, Mr. &mu, stated that the issue of the two-shilling or norm pieces had not been countermanded ; but no further issue of the coinage took place because a complaint had been made of the omission of certain words, which he at once frankly admitted ought to have been put upon it, and the fault of the omission was his own. Di- rected by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to insert on the coin the words "One florin—one-tenth of a pound," he had, as these words would, make the coin greatly crowded, taken upon him to disencumber the face of the coin of the words "Fidel Defensor—Dei grata," and to give merely the words "Victoria Regina,"- as in the coinage of India. To show that he had not been influenced by those fanatical feelings which had been as- cribed to him, he had issued a. coinage of five-shilling pieces with the words "Fidel Defensor' "—however incongruous he might think it that Queen Victoria should retain a title conferred on Henry the Eighth by a bull of the Pope. He regarded our Sovereign as the head of the Protest- ant faith, and hoped the title to that appellation would never be lost : he thought her 'adorned by so many graces as indeed to be the gift of God, and trusted that she may long be spared to us by his grace.

DIVORCE OF POOR PERSONS.

On presenting a petition from an individual named Chippenholl, pray- ing to be allowed to sue for a divorce in forma pauperis, Lord Biagronesc said that he not only supported the prayer of the petition most willingly,. but he hoped soon to see a bill introduced into their Lordships' House to allow suitors in all cases to sue in formil pauperis. Their not being now permitted to do so tended to show that the poor man had not the same remedy that was open to the rich.

CRUELTIES AND IIIIMORALITLES ice EMIGBANT SHIPS.

With a preliminary reference to the recently-published statements of the improper conduct of medical officers in emigrant vessels proceed- ing to the Australian Colonies, the Earl of MOUNTCA(T.EL made the following motion- " That there be laid before this House copies of the testimonials, with the names of the parties subscribed to them, produced by Thomas Hammond, upon the faith of which he was last Runnier appointed surgeon to the emigrant-ship Una; together with the minutes made by the Colonial Land and Emigratim.. Commissioners on those testimonials."

nearly t years, Lord Mounkaraea recounted particulars of his no-

torious Mr. Thomas Drummonlairits a doctor resident at Eton for.

r,,, -roans-wain chrliniement ma lunatic asylum. These facts

..'Itkffow to Earl Grey--against whom' however, he did not wish to bring any charge—that too much trust is not to be placed in testimonials which may be presented by men applying for office • and he hoped the ease would serve as a warning to medical men of high standing not to give testimonials with- out well knowing who the parties are. The report of the Emigration Board shows the number of cases in which abuses have arisen from the misconduct of those in charge of the ships. In the case of the Sobraon, it was stated that one girl was seduced by the chief officer, and died of a miscarriage before she landed from the vessel. The surgeon of the emigrant-vessel Canton, was pronounced not qualified for his office. In the eases of the Equestrian, Phaeri Charles James, anti other vessels, similar or more serious statements were made. Altogether, out of twenty surgeons-superintendent selected by the Emigration Commissioners, eleven had been reported as more or less unfit for their duties. A Colonial newspaper states that "the practice of excessive drinking is so general, that a kind and sober doctor seems to be quite an ex- ception:" It is certain that many of the girls who had been maltreated were quite innocent and 'well-behaved; but from their not having received suf- ficient protection, they had been corrupted in the course of the voyage. Some classification of the passengers ought to be made, and the evil-inclined should be separated from the virtuous and well-disposed.

Earl GREY appealed to the full information already on the table as to every ship that sailed from this country, for proof that though in a larr service some cases of abuse and misconduct would necessarily arise, stilt the system, taken as a whole, was successful, and satisfactory in ita operation.

The mortality during the passage to Australia, with all the hardships of a long- sea voyage, is kss than the average mortality at the same age among persons living in this country. With reference to the general responsibility of the surgeon for immoralities of the crew, he thought it utterly impossible to require the surgeon to keep watch over everything that is passing on board. It has been a long time the practice of the Emigration Commis- sioners, so satisfied were they of the thager and difficulty of sending out single females to Australia, to discourage their going to that colony. They would not allow a single woman to be embarked in their vessels except tuider the protection. of some relation or friend of her own, with the ex- ception of those who, constitute a special case—girls from the Irish work- houses.

With reference to Mr. Hammond, Lord Grey could not believe but there was some mistakeand that some other person was meant; the testimonials speaking in such high terms both of his professional skill and moral conduct as were utterly impossible in reference to- a person of the character and con- duct described.

Lord Montercasurs, was convinced of Lis accuracy, and of Mr. Thomas Hanunond's identity ; and referred Lord Grey to a gentleman, of the highest character for correct information—the Reverend, Sterling Marsh, of Eton. College. The motion was agreed to.

GOVERN-3E0U OF Wrsmais Ansiatems.

Silt WTIT.T4t MOLZSWORTH asked the Attorney-General, whether there in any legal Government in Western Australia ; and if so, under what law or authority is it constituted ? The temporary act of 1829, establish- ing- the Government, expired at the end of last session. The Arroessivr- OMEBAL replied, that the act has expired, but the Government legally constituted under it endures, and is still a legal Government with as much authority as ever.

AIISTB.ALIAN Cormars Bra.

In reply to Mr. GLADSTONE'S question, whether the Australian Colonies Bill or the Estimates should give way to the other if the discussion of the latter be- continued so as to interfere with the former, Lord Tram Russerz said "he hoped to bring on the Australian Colonies Bill on the day previously fixed ; but if the discussion of the Estimates were to in- terfere, they could postpone the Australian Bill, if necessary."

The petition from Port Phillip or "Victoria," presented by Lord Iffoiernsaim, complained that the existing qualification for the political franchise-possession of a 201. freehold or 2001. in personal property- excludes a large number of wealthy and respectable persons occupying pasture-lands. Earl GREY felt a difficulty in dealing with the subject, from the want of local information ; and [if we rightly interpret his re- ply] he deferred it to be dealt with hereafter, in the colony, under the Australian Colonies Government Bill.

ORDER or Priam ResmEss.

Lord Joan RUSSELL stated, for the convenience of the House, that he proposes to take the Navy Estimates on Monday next, and the principal votes for the Army on the Monday following; and that it is probable the Chancellor of the Exchequer will make his financial statement on the 15th of March.

TIER Teiv-Ifouns Acr.

Lord ASHLEY gave notice in the House of Commons, on Thursday, that on that day fortnight he will move for leave to bring in a bill to declare the intention of the Legislature in respect to the hours and mode of work- ing under the Factory Act.

GREENWICH PARR AND THE GREEN Penn..

In reply to Lord Dosicais, Mr. HA.YTER stated that the Commissioners of Woods and. Forests, in prosecuting a plan of improvement in Green- wich Park, had proposed to erect certain houses and buildings which would add to the beauty of the Hospital and the comfort of its inmate; and to add. a small ornamental garden to the houses; but, on the re- monstrance of inhabitants living opposite, whose view would be thus interrupted, the Commissioners have forborne to exercise their perfect right, and resolved to abstain from improvements in that direction. An ornamental wall erected by Lord Ellesmere, on the ground in the Green Park of which he has a lease, though no encroachment, -is inconsistent with the covenants of the lease ; and a communication has been made to his' -Lordship's architect, to the effect that the wall must be immediately removed.

PERSONAL EXPLANATEON.

Requesting the indulgence of the House on a personal matter, Mr. BRIGHT made ST 3xplanation.. He recalled a sfatiment he made in course of the debate on the advances -to distressed Irish Unions, that a large landed proprietor in the West of Ire- land, and an honourable Member of this House representing an Irish county, bad made over to a. near relative certain goods and chattels, the furniture of a house, for the purpose Of saving them from being seized for the payment of poor-rates. Since that time Mr. Bright has seen Mr. Henry Herbert, the Member referred to, and been dhown papers and documents from which he is bound to believe that the parties whe furnished him with the in- formation were mistaken in. their view of the purpose for which" the i rs - party was made over. He had. not had time to communicate with them on the matter, but nevertheless thought it right to accept the statement of the honourable gentleman, and retract that which must have been calculated to east an imputation upon his character. Mr. Hrsur HERBERT acknowledged the candour of the retractation.

renmestxteranx PenucerioNs.

Numerous Reports and Returns have already appeared ; but they re- late for the most part to matters of bygone interest, or to the transactions of Boards and Commissions, which assume a good deal of a routine cha- racter. Greater freshness may be expected from the Papers and Accounts whick will flow in by and by, at the instance of private Members or by "command" of the Crown.

Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Application of Iron to Railway Structures. (Presented by command.) Plans referred to in the pre- ceding- Report. (Presented by command.)

This Commission was appointed in August 1847, and its Report is dated July 1849. The objects were, to inquire into the conditions which should be observed by engineers in the application of iron to railway structures exposed to violent concussions and vibrations, and to form rules for enabling the en- gineer and mechanic to apply the metal with confidence. An extensive course of experimenting followed; comprising the strength of bar and cast iron, wrought iron tubes, weights travelling over bars with different velocities, statical pressure, and the like. The Appendix contains written contributions in furtherance of the inquiry ; and the Plans show the mode in which the experiments were carried out. The Report does not contain much beyond. "general conclusions, " the Commissioners preferring to leave the results of the experiments to convey their own lesson. Their idea is, that the subject of railsvay engineering has not yet arrived at the point which would justify the Legislature in laying down fixed. rules on the subject of iron bridges. very useful map, showing the districts inwhich coal and iron are to be found, is included in the volume of Plans.

Return of the number of Passengers conveyed on all the Railways during the half- year ending 30th June 1849, ite.; also, a Comparative Statement of the Traffic for the five years- ending 30th June 1849. (sir. Labouchere.) Return of the Rail- ways for which Acts were passed in session 1849. (Presented by command.). On. the 30th June 1849, 5,447 miles of railway were open. being an in- crease of 969 miles as compared with June 11348. The receipts were nearly in proportion, both as regards passen,ger and goods traffic ; the totals being, 9,9332&i2/. for 1848, and 11,200,961/. for 1849.

Thirty-four Railway Acts were passed in session 1849; the powers attained having reference to amalgamation, extension of time, deviation, and other purposes connected with existing companies. In practice these acts will de- crease the mileage previously provided for by six miles. The increase-of capital will be 2,560,500/., and 594,832/. may be borrowed in addition.

Second Annual Report of the Poor-law Board, 1849. (Presented by command.)

The most palpable fact communicated is the one so largely drawn upon in. recent Parliamentary debates, that the expense of relieving the Poor in Eng- land for 1849 is less by 387,802/. than the expense for 1841.

Reports to the Poor-law Board on the Law of Settlement anditemoyaL (Pro. seated by command.)

The reporters are Mr. G. A. a'Beckett, Captain Robinson, Mr. John Revans, Mr. Francis Howell, Mr. Robert Weale, Mr. Grenville Pigott, and Mr. W. H. T. Hawley. The opinions are not favourable to the present state of the law on the points forming the object of inquiry.

Fourth Annual Report of the Board of Supervision for the Relief of the Poor itt Scotland. (Presented by command.) Return showing the Arrangements for Medical Relief to-the Poor in the Counties of Argyll, Inverness, Ross, and Sutherland. (Mr. Edward Ellice.)

The Report states the expenditure for the year ending May 1849 at 577,044/. ; being an increase of 32,709/. over 1848. In 1849, one person in every 12.96 of the population was relieved; the average allowance to each, re red pauper was 3/. 188. 5d.

tram the Return it appears that the medical salaries vary from 4/. to 601.; and that the distance between the residence of the Inspectors and the Medical Officers ranges from a few yards to fifty miles.

The Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Reports of the Commission- ers for inquiring into the Number and Boundaries of Poor-law Unions, &c. in Ireland. (Presented by command.) Statistical Statement of the Expenses, the amount collected, &c. for the Peer in Ireland to September 1849. (Presented by command.) As a remedy for the grievance which arises from the great distance of the workhouses from the habitations of those most likely to need assistance' the Commissioners recommend arrangements by which no part of a district shall be more than seven miles distant from a workhouse. Schemes for reducing the areas of electoral divisions are also propounded. The "Statistical Statement" exhibits the immense increase which has taken place in the amount of poor-rates in Ireland since 1846. In that year the amount actually collected was 371,8461.; in 1849 1,664,2601. was real- ized, and a heavy arrear remained. The total expense of maintaining the poor for 1849 was 2,097,216/.

First Report of the Registrar-General of Marriages in Ireland. (Presented by command.)

The 7th and 8th Victoria, under which marriages are registered in Ireland, came into operation on the 1st of April 1845; and this document shows the- results up to the 31st December 1847. The act does not include Roman Catholic marriages, but it takes cognizance of all others. The totals strik- ingly illustrate the desolating influence of famine and disease combined with extensive emigration. In 1846, the number of marriages was 9,344 ; in 1847, the number was 6,943. The Jews do not seem to prosper in Ireland : only two Jew marriages took place in the nine months of 1845, and one in 1817.

Dolly's Brad: Papers relative to the Investigation. (Presented by command.)

These documents constitute the " case ' on the part of the Irish Government for depriving Lord Roden and the two Messrs. Beers of their status as Magis- trates. It is a very readable compilation ; and those who wish to study the transaction in its military and other aspects will be assisted by two maps, the one a field sketch of Dolly's Brae, and the other showing the roads leading to Lord Roden's demesne.

Reports of the Inspectors of Factories, for the half-year ending 31st October 1949. (Presented by command.) Messrs. Homer, Howell, and Saunders, narrate their proceedings ; but Mr.. Stuart's death oauses a blank. According to Mr. Homer, the bulk of the operatives are anxious for the retention of the Ten-hours Act, although their wages have undergone proportionate diminution ; and that a large minority of the masters are willing to abide by the limitation, but complain of the infringements made by their competitors. The Inspectors speak of the dif- ficulty of inducing, and even of compelling, mill-owners to guard against accidents to the workers from machinery. During the six months, 73 con- victions took place, and 140/. fines were recovered.

Polish Refugees: Copies of Treasury Minutes, Papers, and Reports. (Lord Dudley Stuart.) Should the Treasury minute of the 8th June 1849 be ratified by Parlia- ment, all the refugees under forty-five years of age, and not physically dis- abled will cease to receive relief after the 26th March 1849. All above that ge- end destitute of other means of living, will be permanently provided for. A reduction is recommended in the scale el allowances save in the case of the first class. Under this arrangement, the estimate for 1850-51 is 2,833/.; showing a saving of 3,624/. as compared with 1849. The number of men proposed to be placed on the permanent list is 166.

Returns of the number of Students entered annually in the books of each College or Hall within the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin, .during the last five years. (Mr. Heywood.) Oxford and Dublin bring down their returns to 1849, Cambridge to 1848. Oxford is the only University which shows an increased attendance over the four preceding years. The results are-Oxford, 440 students ; Cambridge, 499; Dublin, 327. In the case of Oxford, New College is returned as having only 5 students, All Souls 1, Magdalen 2, St. Alban Hall none, and New Inn Hall 1.

Land-tax, &c.: Returns of the Land-tax Quotas, Duty assessed on Personal Es- tates, 8sc. (Mr. Wodehouse.)

A useful return in connexion with the effort to bring about greater equality in the imposition of the Land-tax. At Mr. Disraeli's Aylesbury, the charge is equal to 3s. 21d. in the pound ; in. Marylebone, it is id.; and in the li- berty of the Rolls, Holborn, it is 28. lid. These are merely specimens.

Turnpike Trusts (England and Wales): Abstracts of Incomm and Expenditure.

from 1st January 1847 to 31st December 1847. (Presented by command.) Enclosure Commission: Fifth Annual Report. (Presented by command.) Health of the Navy : Statistical Reports. Part 1: Foreign Stations. (Presented by command.) Tables of the Revenue, Population, Commerce, &c., of time United Kingdom and its Dependencies. Part 17: 1847. (Presented by command.)

Copies or Extracts of the Despatches from the Governor of British Guiana. (Mr. Hawes.)

Period, 16th June to 18th December 1849. A further elucidation of the dispute between the Combined Court and Governor Barkly on the subject of the Estimate; which is spoken of as having been satisfactorily terminated. The new Franchise Act came into operation in November ; and the persons elected are spoken of by the Governor as "gentlemen of as high standing read as extensive property as were ever returned under the old system.'

Correspondence on the Affairs of Italy, No IV. (Presented by command.)

Period 27th December 1848 to March 27th. 1619. The incidents refer chiefly to the coercive operations of Auetria • and the correspondence ternzi-

nates with the conclusion of the armistioe Austria; Emanuel King of far.

diui.a and General Badetzky.

Papers relative to the Affairs of Jamaica. (Presented by command.)

Period, 20th April to 22d December 1849. The proceedings of the Colonial Legislature vaned in diameter by the restiveness of the popularly-elected branch, and numerous memorials to the Queen praying that Spain and Brazil may be compelled to make good their Anti-Slave-trade engagements, make

up the principal contents.

Further Papers relative to the Affairs of New Zealand. (Presented by command.)

Period, 9th October 1348 to 213th January 1850. The contents embmce re- ports and statements on the subject of representative government, the cone dition of the Native; Mr. Brtmner's expedition into the interior of the Mii,.

die Island, loans to Native chiefs, exports and imports, finance, education, hospitals. 'Upon most of these points despatches from Earl Grey are included.

Despatches relative to the Reception of Convicts at the Cape of Good Hope. (Pre- sented by command.)

Period, 20th January 1849 to 29th January 1850. Through these de- spatches, together with copies of the remonstrances addressed by the settlers against the conversion of the colony into a penal settlement, a full narrative is given of the steps taken by the malecontents to counteract the intentions of the Colonial Office. Earl Grey's views are unfolded in his despatches.

First Report from the Select Committee on Ceylon.

Captain Watson was examined on the 14th February as to the forged pro- clamations purporting to bear his signature, threatening death to all who should fail to give up the property of certain of the insurgents. The Commit- tee resolved to rePort this evidence to the House, and to request that a Commission be appointed to inquire into the circumstances relating to the forged documents. Fac-similes of the originals and translations are appended.

Army Estimates for the year ending 31st March 1851. Ordnance Estimates for the year 1851.

Wavy Estimates for the year 1851. Estimate for the Post-office Deflartment (Packet Service) for the year 1851.

For the Army, the Estimates are arranged under the heads of Effective and Non-effective Services. Under the Effective head—the actual Army— the vote is to comprise 6,690,horses, 87,019 rank and file, 7,478 non-com- missioned officers, and 4,631 officers, at a cost of 3,936,5821.; under the Non- effective head—namely, pensions and allowances to 71,529 officers and men- the charge will be 2,082,8151.; making between them 6,019,3971. This does

not include that part of the British i Army employed in India, and paid by the East India Company. The reductions n the Estimates as compared with the previous year's are—in the actual Army, 4,126 men ; in the Icon-effec- tive service 1,323 men ; in money, 122,814/. The Ordnance Estimates provide for 13,641 non-commissioned officers and men and 928 officers, being an increase of 23 officers and 423 men over last year. Under this head the increase in the expense is 860/. Over the whole departments, however, there is a saving of 198,184/. The total amount to be applied for is 2,434,417/.

For the Navy, the Estimates include 26,000 seamen, (888 of that number are employed in the Packet Service, and charged in the estimate for Post- office Department,") 2,000 boys and 11,000 marines ; being nearly the same as were voted last year. The boys, charge is 5,849,423/., showing a saving of 424,006/. over the charge for the preceding year. From an account appended, it appears that 201,669/. was paid into the Exchequer during the year ending 31st December, being the money received for old stores and "extra receipts." These sums used to be applied in aid of the Estimates. The "Post-office Department," or Packet Service, is put down at a cost of 764,236!.; being an increase of 16,046/. over last year.